Jonah Interagency Office Now Accepting Project Applications

The Jonah Interagency Mitigation and Reclamation Office (JIO) is accepting project applications for compensatory mitigation through March 10, 2008.

The JIO was created by the Jonah Infill Drilling Project Record of Decision with a purpose of overseeing the selection of projects to off-set the impacts from Jonah Field development. Funding for projects is provided by a compensatory mitigation fund established by EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), BP and potentially other Jonah Field operators.

Prior to preparing a project application, please review the JIO Goals and Strategies listed at: http://www.wy.blm.gov/jonah_office/docs/OffSite_Mitigation_Strategy.pdf. The goals and strategies outline specific examples of the types of projects the JIO is interested in funding. Projects focused on collection of data, research, reclamation or monitoring usually are not within the purview of JIO compensatory mitigation. Mitigation projects should be tailored specifically to off-set impacts from Jonah Field development. These include impacts to wildlife (specifically sage-grouse and pronghorn), livestock, recreation, air quality and cultural resources.

If you have an interest in applying for funding, please visit the JIO website at http://www.wy.blm.gov/jonah_office/project_aps.htm for funding guidelines and eligibility requirements. The website also has links to an on-line application that can be downloaded. To save time, please contact the JIO for assistance with the application process.

For more information or to obtain an application for those without internet access, please contact one of the following: Lisa Reinhart, WY Dept. of Agriculture, 307-367-5386; Dan Stroud, WY Game and Fish Dept., 307-367-5387; Jennifer Frazier, WY Dept. of Environmental Quality, Air Quality Division, 307-367-5388; or Ted Rentmeister, Bureau of Land Management, 307-367-5363. The JIO fax number is 307-367-5329, and their email address is JIO_WYMail@blm.gov.